The stigma and the lack of conversation about menstruation and menstrual cramps have prevented women from following healthy living codes. As you might know, menstruation, or period, refers to the shedding of the uterus’ lining once a month. And it generally causes some pain and cramps. But sometimes, the pain can get severe.
This pain happens because the womb contracts to shed its lining during the menstrual cycle. Hormone-like substances called prostaglandins cause these contractions. Scientific terms refer to painful menstruation as dysmenorrhea. And this can severely impact women’s workability and daily life.
There are various diagnoses and treatment methods for menstrual cramps. Many doctors prescribe traditional NSAIDs, painkillers, and antidepressants (for associated mood swings). But they don’t come without side effects like:
- Stomach ulcers
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness, etc.
Ayurveda and menstrual cramps
Ayurveda sees period pains and cramps as indications of imbalance within the woman’s body. It says that during the menstrual cycles, the Apana Vayu (downward and outward moving energy) works on shedding the uterine lining.
The Apana Vayu is related to the Vata dosha, subtle energy that governs muscle and tissue movement. And when the Vata is imbalanced, menstruation can be painful and also lead to some adverse symptoms like:
- Tiredness
- Constipation
- Anxiety
- Lower back and leg pain
- Irritability
- Headache, etc.
Apart from the treatment methods and lifestyle changes that it suggests, like getting massages, doing minimal exercise, and consuming warm food, Ayurveda mentions a very effective medicinal herb for alleviating menstrual cramps. That herb is Vijaya.
Why Ayurvedic Vijaya?
Vijaya has a long history of being used for menstrual cramps, gynecological ailments, and gastrointestinal disorders. Today, Ayurveda doctors and medical experts have started acknowledging the importance of Vijaya as a potent remedy for period pain. So why is it so helpful?
As you might already know, Vijaya possesses strong pain-relieving properties. Once ingested, its chemical compounds trigger the system of cannabis receptors and weaken the pain signals. But this is not the only reason this herb has attracted innumerable medical experts worldwide.
One of the other reasons why pain relief is the major benefit menstruating women get from Vijaya is the quickness with which it acts upon the pain. That too without showing any harmful side effects.
As mentioned above, menstrual cramps are caused by inflammatory hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. What happens is that before the menstrual cycle begins, the uterine lining releases large amounts of these prostaglandins. They cause the muscle layers to contract and result in unbearable period pain.
Today, healthcare professionals consider Vijaya a very beneficial medicine for menstrual cramps because it helps in inhibiting prostaglandins synthesis, thus reducing uterine muscle contractions. And with its anti-inflammatory properties counters the effects of prostaglandin secretion, reduces muscle inflammation, and relaxes them.
What makes Vijaya unique is its wide range of therapeutic uses for various illnesses. And it is due to these characteristics, Vijaya not only alleviates the main problem but also its painful side effects and symptoms.
It is known to be effective against the side effects of menstrual cramps like:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Lower back pain, etc.
What do clinical studies have to say about it?
The University of British Columbia conducted research in 2015 about the impact of Vijaya (medical cannabis) on menstrual pain and if women even used it for their relief. The researchers asked a sample of over 190 women if they used medical cannabis for easing their menstrual cramps and the resultant pain.
Among all the women who were a part of the study, over 88% said they had consumed cannabis-based medication to treat their pain. And among them, 90% said that it worked for them in providing effective relief.
A case study conducted by Hempstreet Medicare showed how beneficial and effective Vijaya is for menstrual cramps. The patient’s treatment was done with an Ayurvedic approach and based on Vijaya’s influence on Vata dosha.
As a result, the patient reported significant and unexpected relief in her menstrual cramps and pain.
To know more about how Hempstreet facilitates you to get proper medical consultation, feel free to reach out to us.
Conclusion
Women today are taking their healthcare seriously and are aiming for a holistic and fulfilled treatment. This is the reason why Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Vijaya have become popular in modern medicine and healthcare.
In addition to that, the way it acts on menstrual cramps by swiftly reducing muscle inflammation and spasticity has got clinicians worldwide deploying it to their patients. Not only does Vijaya relieve the cramps and pain, but it also significantly improves its symptoms.
It is evident that with such immense benefits, contemporary medicine can never ignore it. Thus, it can provide overall health and well-being during a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle.
